Ayyan Ali indicted in currency smuggling case
The court has summoned prosecution's evidence on December 8.
RAWALPINDI (Dunya News) – A customs court today (Thursday) indicted fashion model Ayaan Ali for attempting to fly to Dubai with half a million dollars in cash stashed in her luggage.
The model pleaded not guilty at a hearing conducted by Justice Rana Aftab Ahmed in the garrison city of Rawalpindi.
Ali has been the focus of media attention since March when authorities, working on a tip, nabbed her at the VIP lounge of Benazir Bhutto International Airport in Islamabad.
Under Pakistani laws, no one can carry over $10,000 on a flight, but authorities found $506,800 tucked in her luggage.
Ali was released on bail in July and her lawyer has said she had no intention to take money outside Pakistan.
During the hearing today, harsh words were exchanged between the judge and Ayyan’s lawyer Lateef Khosa.
Lateef Khosa criticized the verdict and said that his experience is equal the age of the judge. However; the judge responded that he had to act in accordance to law and constitution.
Meanwhile, the court has summoned the prosecution witnesses on December 8.
The court has also reserved verdict on Ayyan Ali’splea seeking return of her passport. The decision is likely to be announced today.
Her lawyer while giving arguments said that seeking access to passport is the basic right of his client, otherwise, her projects with international companies will be cancelled.
Prosecutor Ameen Feroz argued that the passport is a material evidence of the case and there is a possibility that she will flee abroad.
Ayyan has maintained that the money was solely hers since her arrest.
